High in the Third Heaven sat the splendid jade palace of the sun god, Tonatiuh. Only within its walls was his son, Ixcoçauqui, permitted to roam. There must be something beyond the garden that my father does not want me to see, thought Ixcoçauqui.

One day, Ixcoçauqui climbed over the garden wall. There he met Coyolxauhqui, the beautiful daughter of the moon goddess, and fell in love. Furious at his son for disobeying, Tonatiuh allowed the marriage on one condition. "You must both promise never to leave the heavens, he told them.

But they looked down at the earth and were tempted by its sparkling lakes and broad meadows. Would they keep their vow, or break it and face a bitter punishment?

Distinguished author Eric A. Kimmel gives a powerful retelling of an Aztec legend reminiscent of the story of Adam and Eve.

From the dust jacket